PENGASSAN Pushes for State Police to Curb Insecurity

By Chinedu Echianu

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has reaffirmed its support for the creation of state policing.

It describes decentralised policing as essential to addressing the country’s growing insecurity.

PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo spoke at the union’s National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, also highlighting unresolved labour issues and economic pressures affecting oil and gas workers.

“Nigerians are tired of one-minute silences and endless condemnations,” Osifo said, demanding that terror financiers be publicly named and prosecuted as insecurity escalates despite government assurances.

On labour matters, he noted that the union navigated the industry divestment phase without mass job losses but flagged several unresolved post-divestment concerns.

Osifo stressed that PENGASSAN has secured multiple Collective Bargaining Agreements across government agencies, international oil firms, and service and marketing sectors to mitigate the impact of inflation and naira devaluation.

He also expressed frustration over unresolved industrial disputes at Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd., warning that the union would not hesitate to take    further action if necessary.

Criticising the government’s economic reporting, Osifo said official indicators fail to reflect the everyday realities faced by citizens, stressing that high food and commodity prices undermine claims of economic recovery.

He called for stronger coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities to translate macroeconomic improvements into tangible relief for households.

PENGASSAN pledged to continue engaging key government bodies, including the Federal Ministries of Finance, Petroleum Resources, and Labour, to safeguard workers’ welfare and implement union resolutions.

“We remain steadfast in pursuing victory for all,” Osifo concluded, calling for unity among members as the union continues its advocacy.